Tom Petersen, Author at Omaha Criminal Defense Lawyer

Asserting Your Right to Remain Silent

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Drug Crimes on Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Almost everyone has heard of the “right to remain silent.” Every law enforcement drama on television has shown a police officer informing a suspect of his right to remain silent at least once. Given that the public is, for the most part, aware of the existence of the right to remain silent, you might assume it is asserted and relied on regularly by people who come into contact with law enforcement officers. You would be incorrect. Despite how familiar people are with the concept of the right to remain silent, it is frequently not relied on when it should be.

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How to Prepare for Your Consultation with a Defense Lawyer

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Defense on Thursday, November 15, 2018

If you have no previous experience with the criminal justice system, finding yourself under arrest and accused of committing a crime is a fairly frightening place to be. The most important step you can take when in that position is to make an appointment for a consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney. Even that, however, can be an intimidating prospect if you have never before needed the services of a criminal defense lawyer. To help put you at ease, the criminal defense lawyers at Petersen Law Office discuss how to prepare for your consultation with a defense attorney. Preparing

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Miranda Rights — When Must They Be Given and What Happens If They Weren’t

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Law on Thursday, November 8, 2018

Of all the legal terms and phrases that have made their way into everyday vernacular, “Miranda” is undoubtedly one of the most well-known. Even the most law-abiding citizens have some idea what your “Miranda rights” refer to given how often the term is used in the news and on television shows. Despite how familiar the term is, however, there are some important misconceptions relating to what rights are included in your Miranda rights, when those rights apply, and what happens if you are not informed of those rights by a law enforcement officer. The Omaha criminal defense attorneys at Petersen

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What Is Identity Theft?

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Theft Crimes on Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Until very recently, it was relatively easy to abandon your true identity and become someone else. Moreover, even “stealing” someone else’s identity rarely resulted in harm to the victim of the theft because nothing was connected. With the advent of the internet and the computer age, however, that all began to change. Today, it is exponentially harder to protect against identity theft now that all our vital information can be accessed by the click of a button. In an effort to discourage would-be criminals, both the federal and state governments are continually increasing the penalties for computer-related crimes, including identity

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What Is the Punishment for Hacking in Nebraska?

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Defense on Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Over the last two decades, the United States – and much of the rest of the world – has become dependent on computers in all facets of daily life. The internet has become our information highway. The ubiquitous nature of computers has certainly enriched our lives; however, it has also led to a whole new type of criminal. “Computer crimes” is the fastest growing category of crimes in the U.S. Consequently, the laws are changing so fast that even the perpetrators may not know that what they are doing is illegal. An Omaha internet crime attorney at Petersen Law Office

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What Role Does an Informant Play in a Drug Crime Prosecution?

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Drug Crimes on Friday, October 5, 2018

While it is true that no two drug-crime prosecutions contain the same set of facts and circumstances, arrests involving the sale or distribution of a controlled substance often follow a predictable pattern. That pattern involves an informant providing information to a law enforcement agency, usually in exchange for charges against the informant being dismissed or reduced, or a reduction in a sentence if the informant is already in jail or prison serving a sentence. Understanding the role an informant plays in a drug crime prosecution is vital for a defendant. With that in mind, a Nebraska drug defense attorney explains

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What Happens When a Victim Recants?

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Law on Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Not all criminal cases have a victim; however, in those that do, the alleged victim plays a critical role in the case. Whether the individual was allegedly the victim of a robbery, a domestic assault or any other type of crime, the importance of the victim’s cooperation is essentially the same. So what happens if the victim recants? The Omaha criminal attorneys at Petersen Law Office explain what typically happens when a victim recants or refuses to cooperate. The Importance of a Victim There are several different ways in which criminal offenses can be categorized. One way is to divide

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DUI Defense Lawyer Explains the Implied Consent Law

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Law on Friday, September 21, 2018

By now, most motorists are aware that drinking and driving is both dangerous and illegal. Most people are also at least vaguely familiar with the concept of chemical testing that typically occurs after a motorist has been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI). What happens though, if you refuse to submit to a chemical test? Nebraska, like most states, has an “implied consent” law that governs the answer to that question. An Omaha DUI defense lawyer from Petersen Law Office explains Nebraska’s implied consent law and how it might affect you if you are ever arrested for DUI. DUI

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Nebraska Theft Laws and Punishments

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Theft Crimes on Thursday, September 13, 2018

There was a time when a conviction for “petty” theft, shoplifting, or another relatively minor theft crime was not something to be overly concerned about on your record. That is no longer the case in the United States. Today, we live in an electronic world where prospective employers and landlords insist on a clean background check before even considering an applicant. Therefore, a conviction for any theft offense can have serious negative consequences for your current and future employment and housing prospects. In addition, you could also face penalties that include a term of imprisonment and/or a lengthy period of

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If You Are a Defendant in a Criminal Case — Be Careful What You Post on Social Media

On behalf of Tom Petersen posted in Criminal Law on Friday, September 7, 2018

In just two short decades, social media has blossomed to the point where it is an integral part of most people’s everyday life. The familiarity, however, can be deceiving. This is particularly true if you are a suspect or defendant in a criminal prosecution. In today’s day and age, law enforcement is also trolling social media, looking for evidence of criminal activity – and you might be surprised how many people manage to hand over evidence of their own crimes to the police by posting incriminating photos and/or statements on social media. Law Enforcement and Social Media According to a

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